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When Should I Apply for Medicare?

November 14, 2023

When Should I Apply for Medicare?

Like most health insurance plans, Medicare has specific sign-up periods each year. The first one occurs when you’re about to turn 65 and lasts seven months. Then, there’s an annual enrollment period each year where you can evaluate, compare, and change your plan.

Some people are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and B when they are eligible, while others have to take specific steps to apply. If you’re wondering when to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can do so during any enrollment period.

Here’s what you need to know about when to enroll in Medicare.

Medicare Enrollment

If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits, you’ll generally be enrolled in Medicare A and B automatically when you’re eligible. Remember that you’ll receive Original Medicare — if you want a different plan, you must sign up for that during the Annual Enrollment Period.

If you must sign up manually, you must know when to enroll in Medicare. The answer to when to enroll is based partly on which parts of Medicare you’re considering.

When Should I Apply For Medicare Part A And B?

Getting Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B during the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) when you turn 65 is recommended. 

If you qualify for Medicare Part A premium-free, you can sign up or it anytime, regardless of enrollment periods. If you must pay for Part A, you must sign up as soon as you are initially eligible. You’ll automatically be enrolled during the timeframe that you turn 65 if you receive Social Security payments,

You will also be automatically enrolled in Part B. However, if you are not getting those payments, you will need to sign up for Medicare Part B if you want it during the first enrollment period around your 65th birthday. If you don’t, you could face a late-enrollment penalty.

You can choose to defer enrollment in Medicare Part B if you’re currently employed and have a group health insurance plan. When your group insurance plan ends, you’ll be granted a special enrollment period to sign up for Medicare Part B without a penalty.

Once your initial enrollment time frame is over, you can sign up for Part B or change your Medicare plan only between January 1 and March 31 each year.

When Should I Apply For Medicare Part C And D?

You can only sign up for Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) or Medicare Part D plans during regular enrollment periods, including the seven months around your 65th birthday and during the annual open enrollment that runs from Oct 15 - December 7 of each year. Those enrolled in Medicare Advantage can also make changes during Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment between January 1 - March 31 of each year.

You can buy a stand-alone Medicare Par D plan paired with Original Medicare if you choose not to enroll in a Medicare Part C plan. 

Sometimes you can qualify for special enrollment periods, such as losing other health coverage, returning from overseas, or moving outside the coverage area of your current plan.

Learn More About When to Apply for Medicare

Understanding when to apply for Medicare is important, but you should also learn about the various options. We’re here to help make things easier. Talk to a licensed health insurance agent and compare plans to make the right choice for your needs!

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